Lamar Jackson

Jackson missed four games in 2025 with multiple injuries (hamstring, back, knee, ankle, toe) and produced career-worst rushing totals (67-349-2) across 13 starts. His 192.6 yards passing per game ranked 26th in the NFL, signaling significant decline from MVP form.

He is averaging 192.6 yards passing per game, which ranks 26th in the NFL, and 28.3 yards rushing per game, which is the worst of his eight-year career. This year's injuries have shown us a glimpse of what he'll look like when that ability fades.

John Harbaugh was fired after 18 seasons and replaced by first-time HC Jesse Minter (former Chargers DC). New offensive scheme and play-calling philosophy are completely unknown, creating significant uncertainty around how Jackson's dual-threat ability will be deployed.

Lost All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders ($27M/yr) after the OL already allowed 45 sacks in 2025. Interior line is a major concern with no proven replacement, though Baltimore is targeting guard Olaivavega Ioane at pick #14.

2025 rushing collapsed to a career-low ~5.2 carries and ~30 yards per game (carry share down 15% in structured data); the rushing floor is the load-bearing element of Lamar's fantasy value, so its erosion caps his ceiling more than any passing change.

First-year HC Jesse Minter is a defensive specialist with zero head coaching experience, and new OC Declan Doyle installs a motion-heavy, deception-first system in Baltimore for the first time. Early-season scheme growing pains or a misfit between Doyle's outside-zone identity and Jackson's style could suppress 2026 production while the offense coheres.

Jackson's 2025 decline was almost entirely injury-driven — when healthy (W14: 21.1 pts/100% snaps, W18: 20.4 pts/100% snaps after returning from the back contusion), elite output remained fully intact. A clean bill of health in 2026 should restore QB1-3 fantasy finishes given his arm talent and rushing instincts remain unimpaired.

New Ravens Head Coach Jesse Minter has already had 'great talks' with Lamar Jackson. The Ravens retain strong offensive weapons including Zay Flowers (4575.0), Derrick Henry (3782.0), and Isaiah Likely (2813.0) to support a health recovery.

Jackson was fully healthy by Week 18 and returned to practice all week with no injury designation. A full offseason of rest and recovery could restore the elite dual-threat production from his 2024 MVP season (41 TD, 4 INT).

Even in his worst season, Jackson finished 3rd in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.4) and posted a 103.8 passer rating. His passing efficiency floor remains elite, suggesting the statistical downturn was volume/health-driven rather than skill erosion.

The Ravens restructured Jackson's contract to free $40M in 2026 cap space — a clear signal of full organizational alignment around him as the franchise centerpiece. At $52M/yr through 2027, there is zero quarterback competition, trade risk, or job security concern in this situation.

New OC Declan Doyle's 60.6% pre-snap motion rate and deception-first system could unlock incremental passing volume for Jackson, potentially pushing his passing yard ceiling beyond what Harbaugh's run-heavy identity allowed while still featuring his legs in designed outside-zone carries.